The war of words between Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has erupted into a full-blown public spat, with the two industry titans trading barbs over the future of in-flight Wi-Fi. The clash was sparked when O’Leary dismissed Musk and his satellite internet venture Starlink in a radio interview, branding the tech mogul “an idiot”.
The Ryanair boss’s scathing remarks came during an appearance on Ireland’s Newstalk, where he expressed his scepticism about Starlink’s ability to deliver reliable high-speed internet connectivity for commercial airlines. O’Leary went on to tell listeners that he had no intention of using Musk’s services, further inflaming the already tense situation.
Musk, never one to back down from a fight, quickly fired back on Twitter, accusing O’Leary of being “a moron” and challenging the Ryanair chief to a “literal dick-measuring contest.” The escalating war of words has captivated industry observers, who are closely watching to see how the high-profile feud will unfold.
The dispute highlights the growing importance of in-flight connectivity as airlines seek to cater to the increasing demand for seamless internet access among passengers. Starlink, with its network of low-Earth orbit satellites, has positioned itself as a potential game-changer in this space, promising to deliver faster and more reliable internet than traditional ground-based systems.
However, O’Leary remains unconvinced, arguing that Starlink’s technology is unproven and that the costs associated with implementing the service would be prohibitive for budget carriers like Ryanair. “I’m not going to pay a fortune to Elon Musk for some nice-to-have in-flight Wi-Fi,” he stated bluntly.
Musk, on the other hand, has been bullish about Starlink’s ability to revolutionize the airline industry, claiming that the service can provide “a much better experience” than current offerings. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has also hinted at the possibility of collaborating with airlines to subsidize the cost of Starlink installations, a move that could help overcome O’Leary’s concerns.
As the war of words continues, the industry waits with bated breath to see how this high-stakes battle will play out. With both Musk and O’Leary known for their outspoken and unapologetic styles, it’s clear that the gloves are off, and the outcome of this clash could have far-reaching implications for the future of in-flight connectivity.
